Due to the abundance of birds on the runways of the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, both domestic and international aircraft operations were severely hampered. As a result of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) failing to clear the airport’s runways, 10 flights were cancelled and 7 were delayed.

Prior to landing at Lahore Airport, Primera Air flight PF-143 with more than 120 passengers on board suffered major damage from a bird strike. The jet was safely landed by the pilot, but a follow-up examination resulted in the aircraft being grounded.

Khawaja Saad Rafique, the Federal Minister of Aviation, called an urgent meeting of various stakeholders as a result of the suspension of flight operations. Participants in the conference, which was held at the Allama Iqbal International airport in Lahore, talked about how to keep birds away from the facility.

The Minister instructed the CAA to act right away to protect the safety of both passengers and aircraft during the meeting. He instructed the CAA to use special pesticides to eradicate earthworms from the airport’s grounds and its surrounding areas. Additionally, he gave the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) instructions on how to properly dispose of the trash from the vicinity of the airport.

To increase public awareness of the issue, the minister also gave the go-ahead to the start of extensive campaigns on electronic, print, and social media platforms. Representatives from the civil administration of Lahore, the CAA, the Cantonment Board, the LWMC, Pest Warning and Quality Control Pesticides, as well as local and international airlines, attended the conference.